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Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Ephesians 3:20-21 plays in mind about twenty times a day. It says, "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

Whatever we ask for or we think that God will do, He blows it out of the park and does far more and far better. Isn't that incredible?

To me, there is no more loving thing that you can do for me than to pray for me. Thank you for your explicit intercessions for us over the past few weeks and months. At this point, we've been processing and working through this diagnosis for about a month and a half. I remember saying last time that this beginning part is the WORST part. It's the scary part when you don't really know what curve ball is going to come at you next. There are countless appointments, screenings, and scans. And, I don't even get to decide when they happen. The doctor's offices and hospitals usually just call me, expecting me to drop everything and run to another appointment. And, I do.

For this period, we just kind of have to give our life over to cancer. In some ways, it is a blessing because I get to spend a lot more time with Brian, running from one appointment to the next. But, it is a major detour from our normal life. Actually, I'm not sure we even know what our normal life is. Since being married a year and a half ago, we've lived in three places (4 if you count living with Josh and Lauren for a month when our house flooded), owned 5 dogs, been on 5 vacations, had 4 surgeries, and attended around 100 doctors' appointments. Abnormal is normal for us.

Anyway, back to the point. The point is this, I feel that all of our prayers for the Lord to perfectly appoint a treatment plan for me, came to fruition today. I love it when we get to see things come full circle.

Yesterday, I told you that we had a big day today. For weeks, I haven't exactly been sure of how I wanted to treat this thing. Yes, me, the patient. I knew what the doctors wanted, and I knew what they were recommending. And, I trust them and their judgments. I KNOW beyond the shadow of a doubt that my oncologist has worked her behind off on me and my life. I know that she has gone to bat for me, and searched high and low to find a treatment for me. She has been determined to get to the bottom of this. And, I love her for that.

But, it is hard to just hop right back into that chemo chair, knowing that it didn't work last time. It's a lot of inconvenience for it to not work. So, I've done a lot of my own soul searching and researching, trying to make sure I understand what's going on and why certain treatments should or should not work. You know that I've been intrigued by nutrition and its effect on cancer, especially breast cancer. Yes, I've entertained the idea of using only nutrition to treat. Yes, I've entertained the idea of throwing it all out the window and using only chemo and radiation to treat. But, in the end, I couldn't reconcile either one.

Today, the whole process came together. I have been confidentially waiting for weeks to see a doctor in Dallas who is a women's health specialist. His expertise is the "then what?" that I've been struggling with. You see, my doctor has a phenomenal plan for treating what we know is in my body. But, my concern has been, "Okay. So we treat it. It's gone. But then what? How do we keep this from happening again?" This is where the nutritional side comes in.

So, I will be proceeding with treatment, as planned. In fact, I'm going to begin taking my chemo pills tonight. But, he will support my immune system through supplements and nutrition as I go through the treatments. Then, he will work with me to rebuild my immune system once treatments are complete. There you have it. God's perfection in a treatment plan!

Lindsey, Love how God works and knows exactly what we need in His timing. I prayed for you and Brian this morning and again, the word wisdom kept coming up again and again. I read your earlier post and knew why and then it was confirmed again when I read this post. God is so good!

As difficult as it is for you, what an inspiration you and Brian are. As a recent cancer patient, I feel the difficulties you are going through. God does make provisions for us and sends His angels to minister to us, yours is Brian and mine is Cheryl, my wife of 45 years. Regardless of where we are in our journey, you and I both know the Lord has a purpose for us in our life. What you are going through sucks, I know. I also know that God, the great physican, will hold you by his right hand as he promised, and guide our doctors and guide us through this difficult time. Stay strong and know there are prayers being lifted to God for you and Brian at all times.

Who am I? Cheryl and I are members of the Searchers Sunday School class at Bethany UMC and friends of your Uncle and Aunt, Randy and Kay Berry, great Christian souls. Please know that the Searchers class along with thousands of others are prayering for you daily.

I heard a recording artist by the name of JJ Heller perform on a Christian radio station this morning. She sang a beautiful song called "Your Hands," and as I listened to the song's simple melody and moving words, I thought of you--and of your faith. If you don't know this song, then you can hear it online at http://www.jjheller.com/home.asp. I hope that it will encourage you in the knowledge that God (as you so well know!) has a plan and a purpose--and that He always cares and is always in control. Still keeping you in my prayers--

Lindsey, I thought you might want to read about this awesome man. He is a pastor in Flower Mound, Texas.(Outside of Dallas) I had the opportunity to hear him preach. Here is a link to recent article if you are interested.

Brian and Lindsey, God's timing is perfect, as you well know, and not always on our time line. We are so thankful that you found a Dr. to build you up while the Army of the Lord is marching to take over your body and rid you of your cancer.We praise Him in the good times and bad and we praise Him for this news. May your soldiers begin their fight as we pray for your side effects to be minimal.

We love you but most importantly, love the life that you live. You are truly a stoic vessel of God.The Chaffin's